RESTON, VA – The Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Assn. is observing National Kitchen & Bath Month, a program observed each October since its inception by the National Kitchen & Bath Assn.
The KCMA is working to educate the media and the cabinet industry by including new questions and updated answers to Frequently Asked Questions about its Environmental Stewardship Program and GreenCabinetSource.org.
FAQs include:
Q - What are the primary criteria required for ESP certification?
A - In order to be certified, manufacturers must meet requirements in the categories of: air quality, product resource management, process resource management, environmental stewardship and community relations. The criteria include provisions on indoor air quality and formaldehyde emissions, sustainable forestry and resource conservation.
Q - What makes ESP-certified cabinets desirable for people’s homes?
A - As a criterion in the NAHB Green Building Standard, the first ANSI-approved green building rating system for residential construction in the U.S., ESP sets the standard for homeowners looking to integrate eco-friendly cabinets into their home. Certification provides assurance that the cabinet manufacturer is committed to environmental responsibility. For example, the program encourages manufacturers to purchase wood through recognized sustainable forestry programs that help protect the forests. Furthermore, manufacturers earn points for maintaining an energy conservation program, an Environmental Management System and an active recycling program for process waste, all of which ensure resources are used wisely.
Q - What is the KCMA’s position on formaldehyde?
A - Formaldehyde is a naturally occurring chemical produced by and emitted by wood and other organic materials, including the human body. It is not thought to be harmful to most people at the low levels typical of materials used to manufacture cabinetry.
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